Patients devoid of basic civic amenities at GNDH

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 16

Despite tall claims by the government regarding improved public health services for the patients at government hospitals, a mere look at the washrooms near the emergency block of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital(GNDH) is enough to see why the general public does not trusts these claims. The washrooms for the general public at the hospital which is associated with Government Medical College are unusable and filled with litter.

Even washroom fittings, doors and floor are broken. The visitors apart from medical services expect usable washrooms and drinking water. The visitors complained that if the hospital cannot keep the washroom block near emergency which is filled with patients and their attendants day and night, the condition in indoor wards could easily be imagined.

A visitor Kewal Kumar said, “With no doors, women cannot use the washrooms. Even the men would hesitate.” He said the hospital should improve facilities for the people.

“It seems that there is total indifference towards the needs of patients,” said a visitor Surjit Kumar. He added that even on medical services, the patients are not happy as they have to get tests and other items from outside.

The hospital authorities claimed that repairs are done on regular basis. “The problem with washrooms is that sanitary fittings are often stolen. We cannot keep a check on visitors and sometimes miscreants take advantage of the same,” said an official adding that the washrooms would be repaired soon.